Author Description

Return To Jerusalem recounts the events following the defeat of Israel by Babylon in 586 BCE. The story follows the fortunes of two families through their exile to Babylon, the defeat of Babylon by Persia, and the subsequent return of the Jews to Israel. The Jews rebuilt the city wall and re-established the Temple in Jerusalem, and Israel flourished for the next 500 years. Many figures in the book are historical, for example King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (modern day Iraq) and Cyrus and Artaxerxes of Persia (modern day Iran). Others are biblical personalities such as Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah. The clash of Babylonian, Persian and Jewish cultures, attacks on Israel from warring neighbors, and efforts by Jewish leaders to defend and protect their culture are issues which resonate today as they did 2500 years ago.